posted on 2023-08-30, 20:07authored byLee Smith, Damiano Pizzol, Guillermo Lopez-Sanchez, Karel Kostev, Hans Oh, Louis Jacob, Nicola Veronese, Benjamin Underwood, Laurie T. Butler, Yvonne A. Barnett, Mark Tully, Ai Koyanagi
There is a small body of evidence suggesting that unclean cooking fuel use may be associated with cognitive decline. However, to date, no study has investigated the association between unclean cooking fuel and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Thus, we investigated the association between
cooking fuel type or ventilation type and MCI among adults aged ≥ 65 years using nationally representative datasets from six low‑ and middle‑income countries. Cross‑sectional, community‑based data from the World Health Organization (WHO) Study on global Ageing and adult health (SAGE) were analyzed. MCI was defined using the National Institute on Aging‑Alzheimer’s Association criteria. Unclean cooking fuel referred to kerosene/paraffin, coal/charcoal, wood, agriculture/crop, animal dung, and shrubs/grass. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess
associations. Data on 13,623 individuals were analyzed [mean (SD) age 72.8 (11.0) years; 45.5% males]. Unclean cooking fuel (vs. clean cooking fuel) was associated with a significant 1.48 (95% CI = 1.08–2.03) times higher odds for MCI. Having no chimney or hood for cooking ventilation was also
associated with significantly higher odds for MCI (OR = 1.88; 95% CI = 1.25–2.84). Unclean cooking fuel use and lack of chimney or hood for cooking ventilation were associated with higher odds for MCI.
Findings support the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Goal 7, which advocates affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all, as this may also help reduce MCI and
ultimately dementia